The Ethiopian Eunuch, A Rode Model of Submission

The Ethiopian Eunuch, A Rode Model of Submission - Acts 8:26-39

greet 1 Another;

Pray for One Another - Prayer Request Stand/Others raise Hands in direction.

SCRIPTURE - Acts 8:26-39

PRAY

The Ethiopian Eunuch, A Rode Model of Submission

INTRO: Ethiopia is mentioned over 40 times in scripture; Not all bad either.

Africa is referred to as Cush; Land of Ham; Havilah (Genesis); Egypt; and Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is mentioned the most in the book of ISAIAH.

While it is known that Mark planted the church in Ethiopia in 42 AD, history records Christianity was brought to Ethiopia somewhere in the 4th century. It wasn’t Christianity it was missionaries and the Bible.

“When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.”-Desmond Tutu

The Ethiopian Eunuch, A Rode Model of Submission

Let’s look beyond the color of the skin to see ENGAGEMENT of God and the fulfillment of His command.

I am hoping to dispel the myth of a “White Man’s religion” and prove the truth of God’s love and care the dark skinned people. INCLUDED IN HIS PLAN ALWAYS.

Preached before and upset some folks. Truth will do that sometimes.

I mentioned SUBMISSION in last week’s sermon…SUBMISSION TO WHAT may be the question many of you have.

SUBMISSION TO INSTRUCTION

ACTS 8:30-31 “Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”

It is the Ethiopian who initiates the INVITATION to INSTRUCTION.

Reading from ISAIAH, the book of a promised Savior. No Coincidence; PROVIDENCE

IS 19:19-20 “In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the Lord at its border. 20 It will be a sign and witness to the Lord Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them.”

Why is instruction needed?

Citizens of a New Kingdom - kingdom of God. Instruction is needed on HOW to be a citizen;

Learn what is required of the citizen; WORD (34-35); LOVE; GIVING.

SUBMISSION TO BAPTISM

ACTS 8:36-38 “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 37 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”

THE ETHIOPIAN INITIATES HIS OWN BAPTISM.

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change; says you’re a participant in a new community.

Deut 23:1 “1 No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the Lord.” Eunuch not permitted to worship.

The Eunuch’s question was “I’ve been rejected because of my skin color; because of my physical scars; I live in different land..but I’ve learned the true PROMISE of God, the God of Love, The One who gave His life so I can be a citizen of His Kingdom…What can stand in the way of me being baptized?”

Historically, Blacks were prohibited from Worship.

3/5 Human - No Soul

Ignorance - Abraham; Book of EXODUS; LEVITICUS.

Jesus never spoke against it.

Then to justify the Master/slave relationship - Worship was permitted in the back yards...

BUT some who had been crushed; cut; beaten; raped; CONTINUED TO BE A SEEKER OF THE TRUE GOD.

Worshipped in their own Culture - SINGING; DANCING; SHOUTING.

The cultural expression gives glory to God.

SUBMISSION TO EVANGLISIM

Acts 8:39 “39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.”

Evangelism is simply “Telling the good news of what God has done for you, AND, what He can do for others.”

Please note he REJOICED when he came out of the water. Philip was no longer there…But Jesus WAS.

Folks can come and folks may go, BUT when God has touched your life, KEEP ON REJOICING.

He went on his way…told everybody he met; told the Queen; told the officials of the Queen; told the people; everywhere he went he told his testimony.

I KNOW I BEEN CHANGED.

CLOSE: The Ethiopian Eunuch, A Role Model of Submission…Intruction; Baptism; Evnagelism.

But much more - I said at the beginning of this sermon Let’s look beyond the color of the skin to see ENGAGEMENT of God and the fulfillment of His command.

Jesus’ command was Acts 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

That’s what ethiopia was known as…the ends of the known world. Thank God for His inclusion of all people in His plan.